21ST CENTURY FOREST MANAGEMENT:
BALANCING COMPLEX EXPECTATIONS
Gary J. RoloffAssociate Professor
Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State University
Michigan Society of American Foresters2016 Annual ConferenceGaylord, MI
21ST CENTURY FOREST MANAGEMENT:
BALANCING COMPLEX EXPECTATIONS
Presentation topics
1. Background
2. “Environmental Awakening”
3. Evolution of forest management
4. Driving the complexities of forest management
5. Realities
6. Future
Background
• 11 years - Boise Cascade Corporation
• 1994 – 2005
– Operating regions = PNW, South, NE, Lake States
– Northwest Forest Plan
– SFI
Background
• 11 years - Boise Cascade Corporation
• 1994 – 2005
– Operating regions = PNW, South, NE, Lake States
– Northwest Forest Plan
– SFI
Environmental Awakening• 1960s – 1970s
1972
Clean Air Act
1970
1973
National Forest Management Act
1976
Environmental Awakening• 1960s – 1970s
Forest Management• 1980s
Forest Management• 1990s – Changing expectations
• Forest plans
• Prompt reforestation
• Regeneration accountability
• Restrictions on harvest unit size
• Utilization
• Soil conservation
• Water quality
• Wildlife and biodiversity
• Special sites
• Training
• Community involvement
Forest Management• 1990s – Changing expectations
• 1990s – Changing expectations
Culture Shift
Culture Shift• 1990s – Changing expectations
Culture Shift• 1990s – Changing expectations
Culture Shift• 1990s – Changing expectations
21st Century Drivers
21st Century Drivers
20052016
21st Century Drivers
21st Century Drivers
Port of Longview, WA
21st Century Drivers
21st Century Drivers
Here to Stay
21st Century Reality
Here to Stay
21st Century Reality
"Sell" Value versus "Hold" Value
1.50
2.75
1.75
6.50
3.75
1.75
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
Western Oregon Northeast
Oregon
Northeast
Washington
Idaho Minnesota Louisiana
Region
Mu
ltip
le (
Se
ll/H
old
)
Source: Forest Capital Partners, LLC
21st Century Reality
• Keep working forests working, and certified– Financial pressure to sell can be high
Ratios >1.0 indicate financial incentive to sell.
• Keep working forests working, and certified– Water
– Wildlife Habitat
– Clean Air
– Recreation
– Green Space
– Quality of Life
– Carbon sequestration
21st Century Reality
• Keep working forests working, and certified– Water
– Wildlife Habitat
– Clean Air
– Recreation
– Green Space
– Quality of Life
– Carbon sequestration
21st Century Reality
21st Century Reality
Increase
Working
Forest
Values
Improve Non-Timber
Resource
Economics
2
Improve Timber
Resource
Economics
1
Decrease
Alternative
Land-Use
Values
Compensate/
Incentivize
Landowners for
Forgoing
Fragmentation
3
Regulate/
Restrict
Landowners to
Prevent
Fragmentation
4
Increase
Working
Forest
Values
Improve Non-Timber
Resource
Economics
2
Improve Timber
Resource
Economics
1
Decrease
Alternative
Land-
Values
Compensate/
Incentivize
Landowners for
Forgoing
Fragmentation
3
A Four-Part Framework for Preserving Working Forests
• Maintain social license to operate
– Balance intensification with “nature-based solution” to human demands for wood products
Future
• Maintain social license to operate
– Balance intensification with “nature-based solution” to human demands for wood products
• Responsible management of smaller landholdings
– “All Lands” approach of USDA
Future
• Maintain social license to operate
– Balance intensification with “nature-based solution” to human demands for wood products
• Responsible management of smaller landholdings
– “All Lands” approach of USDA
• Get more areas managed under certification standards
Future
• Maintain social license to operate
– Balance intensification with “nature-based solution” to human demands for wood products
• Responsible management of smaller landholdings
– “All Lands” approach of USDA
• Get more areas managed under certification standards
• Get more products labeled
Future
• Maintain social license to operate
– Balance intensification with “nature-based solution” to human demands for wood products
• Responsible management of smaller landholdings
– “All Lands” approach of USDA
• Get more areas managed under certification standards
• Get more products labeled
• “Get the science, shift [public] perceptions, then if you shift practices verify the impacts to know if you are on a good track or not.” (Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative)
Future
21ST CENTURY FOREST MANAGEMENT:
BALANCING COMPLEX EXPECTATIONS
21ST CENTURY FOREST MANAGEMENT:
BALANCING COMPLEX EXPECTATIONS
21ST CENTURY FOREST MANAGEMENT:
BALANCING COMPLEX EXPECTATIONS
21ST CENTURY FOREST MANAGEMENT:
BALANCING COMPLEX EXPECTATIONS
21ST CENTURY FOREST MANAGEMENT:
BALANCING COMPLEX EXPECTATIONS
“The Birds and the Bees: Strategies for Managing Multiple Resources”
